(continued from outside) In addition to age, several variables can elevate your risk of experiencing a herniated disc, including: • Smoking: Cigarettes are thought to reduce the supply of oxygen to the disc, causing it to break down more quickly than it normally would. • Occupation: Those engaged in jobs requiring repetitive motions like lifting, bending, and twisting are also more susceptible. • Sedentary Lifestyle: Long durations of sitting, especially in incorrect postures, contribute to increased risk. • Genetics: Family history may play a role in increasing the risk of developing a herniated disc.
A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like substance in the middle of the disc breaks through the inner aspect of the disc and protrudes out, usually in the back wall of the disc. This bulging out can pinch the nearby spinal nerves, leading to inflammation and excruciating pain that might even radiate down your leg or arm. Even when the disc doesn’t affect the nerves, it is infamous for causing sharp and intense pain in the lower back, affecting your ability to move, especially standing upright, and interfering with your overall quality of life. For some, the pain is so unbearable that it hampers even the simplest daily tasks, like sitting, moving, or lying down to sleep. The silver lining? Our skilled physical therapists can teach you how to manage your debilitating pain and provide the tools to return to a pain-free life! During your sessions, we’ll generally begin with acute pain relief through manual therapy techniques or pain-relieving modalities. Then, we’ll move on to targeted exercises. Our therapists will ensure you perform those exercises correctly and monitor your progress, increasing the intensity as you improve. We’ll also suggest things you can do on your own, such as self-massage techniques, additional exercises, or footwear changes.
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